Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe was caught off guard by starting assignment

There won’t be an emotional coach-to-student-type moment to be told, years from now, when Clippers rookie Eric Bledsoe recounts his first NBA start.

Here’s how Bledsoe learned about his start at point guard for Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs:

“Nobody told me anything,” he said Tuesday. “I just saw it on the board, ‘What’s going on?’ I saw two Erics on the board.”

That would be Bledsoe and Eric Gordon because the Clippers don’t have a third player named Eric.

The rookie Bledsoe was prepared to play major minutes against the Spurs after guard Randy Foye strained his left hamstring Saturday at practice. However, Bledsoe spoke to Baron Davis on the phone Sunday night and had no indication that Davis would be out of the lineup because of a swollen left knee.

Bledsoe’s pace has been accelerated because of the injured guards and it’s likely to continue because it appears that Davis will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma Thunder.

Bledsoe played nearly 40 minutes, shooting four for 11 for nine points, with five rebounds, three assists and three turnovers, and generally kept his wits about him dealing with the Spurs’ Tony Parker.

“I don’t know if anybody would have thought Bledsoe would be playing this many minutes this soon, but I give the kid a lot of credit,” said Neil Olshey, Clippers vice president of basketball operations. “He played Tony Parker last night and he didn’t back down one inch.

“That’s going to pay dividends. Baron will be back and when we get into a rhythm, now, when all of a sudden you need Eric Bledsoe to give you time in a meaningful game, he’s no longer a rookie. He’s just another quality guard you can put in the game.”

Smith is acquitted

Longtime Clippers commentator Michael Smith was acquitted Tuesday of felony grand theft charges by an Orange County jury. The charges were in connection with a failed development project in Dana Point in 2008. Prosecutors alleged Smith had duped a close friend into using his home as collateral for a $735,000 loan.

Smith’s defense attorney, Dyke Huish, said in an interview that he was pleased “the jury listened and was able to see the truth.” George McFetridge, Orange County deputy district attorney, said he was “disappointed with the verdict.”

Huish also made a point of praising the Clippers organization for not rushing to judgment when Smith was charged.

“I’m so impressed with the Clippers for allowing the system to work before making a rash judgment,” Huish said. “Michael is very relieved. His life literally hung in the balance for something he never did.”

Etc.

The agent for Clippers forward Craig Smith said they plan on appealing his Flagrant Two foul from Monday’s game, plus any decision coming from the league. That category of foul carries a $6,000 fine and automatic league review.

Smith was ejected from the game after taking down the Spurs’ George Hill in the second quarter. Hill had his neck treated and did not return to the game; he did not practice Tuesday and is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

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